Indulge your sweet tooth with a delightful twist on a classic treat: Chocolate Salted Caramel Whoopie Pies! Imagine sinking your teeth into soft, chocolatey cookies that cradle a luscious caramel filling, all topped with a sprinkle of sea salt to elevate the flavor to heavenly heights. These whoopie pies are not just a dessert; they are an experience that will have your taste buds dancing with joy. Perfect for any occasion or simply as a sweet escape, this recipe is sure to impress family and friends alike. Ready to create your own batch of bliss? Let’s dive into the delicious details!
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 whoopie pies
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- Sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the whoopie pies from sticking.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the unsalted butter and brown sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the large egg and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture, and continue to beat until fully combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want the batter to be smooth and thick.
- Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop heaping tablespoons of the batter onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops spring back when lightly touched. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the whoopie pie cookies are completely cool, take one cookie and spoon a generous amount of caramel sauce onto the flat side. You can use about 1-2 tablespoons, depending on your preference.
- Top the caramel with another cookie, flat side down, to form a sandwich. Gently press down to spread the caramel evenly between the cookies.
- Repeat the process with the remaining cookies and caramel sauce until all whoopie pies are assembled.
- Finally, sprinkle a small pinch of sea salt on top of each whoopie pie for that perfect salted caramel finish.
- Serve immediately, or store the whoopie pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Tips
- Prep Ahead: To save time, you can prepare the caramel sauce in advance. Homemade or store-bought, just ensure it's at room temperature when you assemble the whoopie pies.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the dry and wet ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so be gentle!
- Uniform Sizes: Use a cookie scoop for even-sized cookies. This ensures that all your whoopie pies bake evenly and look great when assembled.
- Cooling is Key: Allow the cookies to cool completely before adding the caramel filling. This prevents the caramel from melting into the cookies and makes for a perfect sandwich.
- Sea Salt Balance: When sprinkling sea salt on top, start with a small pinch. You can always add more, but it’s hard to take it away if you add too much!
- Storage Tips: To keep your whoopie pies fresh, store them in an airtight container. They can last up to 3 days at room temperature, but trust us, they won’t last that long!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 55mg
